Enlarge ImageMark Blinch | Associated Press"I'm a hard worker, a penalty-killer, a fast skater. I play a physical style, but I have some offensive touch, too." -- Jerry D'Amigo, right, new Blue Jackets left wing

While the rest of the NHL promised nearly half a billion dollars in contracts to free agents, the Blue Jackets, as expected, stayed out of the fray yesterday and made no signings.

Even so, the first day of free agency transformed the Blue Jackets’ fourth forward line. Center Derek MacKenzie, left wing Blake Comeau, and right wing Jack Skille signed with new teams after the Blue Jackets showed limited interest in bringing them back.

MacKenzie, who had been with the organization since 2007, signed a three-year, $4 million contract with the Florida Panthers. Comeau signed a one-year deal worth $700,000 with Pittsburgh, and Skille signed a one-year, two-way deal with the New York Islanders.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets traded forward Matt Frattin to the Toronto Maple Leafs for left wing Jerry D’Amigo. Both players are restricted free agents, but Frattin was guaranteed a one-way deal, meaning he will make the same money in the minor leagues and the NHL. D’Amigo will get a two-way deal, giving the Blue Jackets more flexibility.

“I’m excited to go to Columbus, excited to get a new opportunity,” D’Amigo said. “I’m a hard worker, a penalty-killer, a fast skater. I play a physical style, but I have some offensive touch, too.”

That sounds a little like MacKenzie. The Blue Jackets asked him to give them a chance to match any offer he might receive, which he did, but the Panthers were willing to give MacKenzie, 32, the longest contract of his career.

“Derek MacKenzie is a class act,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “I’ve got nothing but great things to say about him. We’re going to miss him. But he got a great deal, and we totally understand him moving on. He’s worked so hard for this, and he deserves it.”

With MacKenzie, Skille and Comeau gone, the Blue Jackets’ fourth line will likely feature Mark Letestu at center, Jared Boll at right wing and either Corey Tropp or D’Amigo on the left side.Boll, the longest-tenured Blue Jacket, missed most of last season after ankle surgery.

“Letestu can play with anybody,” Kekalainen said. “Boll is healthy. He’s training hard. He’s in great shape right now. Tropp is a young player who is getting better. And D’Amigo is a hard worker.I like that fourth line, a lot. And we have a lot of flexibility there.”

But the Blue Jackets were also intent on giving their swell of high-end prospects a chance to make the club out of training camp. Veteran minor-leaguers Michael Chaput and Sean Collins provide depth, as could Simon Hjalmarsson, who was signed last month after playing five seasons in Sweden.

The Blue Jackets also have several prospects on the cusp of turning pro, including Alexander Wennberg, Kerby Rychel and Marko Dano, their three first-round picks from last season.

The Jackets also reached terms on a one-year, two-way contract with defenseman Fredric St. Denis, who spent most of last season playing for minor-league Springfield.

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